Are you a woman in your 40s, 50s, or 60s looking to take control of your finances, rebuild after divorce, or finally understand how money really works? In this episode, Hilda speaks with Steph Wagner, Director of Women and Wealth at Northern Trust, about the psychology of money and how women can reclaim financial power in midlife and beyond.

Steph shares her own experience navigating a high-powered finance career, stepping away to raise children, and facing the wake-up call of financial insecurity after divorce. Her story reveals how quickly financial agency can be lost—and how it can be rebuilt with the right mindset, tools, and support.

This episode addresses key topics like: women and money after divorce, how to build wealth over 50, rebuilding financial confidence, financial literacy in midlife, the difference between making money vs. creating wealth, emotional healing around money shame, the importance of knowing your numbers, and how to use compound interest to grow wealth over time.

Whether you’re reentering the workforce, facing a financial reset, or simply want to feel more confident in conversations about money, this episode will help you understand the emotional and practical steps to take charge of your finances.

Key topics include:

● Understanding your money mindset and financial beliefs

● Breaking generational cycles around money and self-worth

● Why women defer financial decisions and how to shift that dynamic

● The difference between abundance and prosperity

● Why compound interest is the most important financial concept to grasp

● How to take inventory of assets, liabilities, and spending

● The growing economic power of women and the $30 trillion wealth transfer

● Reframing financial literacy as a path to freedom, not fear

● The rise of financial complexity: crypto, private equity, real estate, retirement

● How to talk openly with partners, kids, and advisors about money

Steph also introduces her upcoming book, "Fly: A Woman’s Guide to Financial Freedom and Building a Life You Love," which outlines a 7-step plan for regaining control over finances, overcoming financial fear, and building true, sustainable wealth as a woman. Her approach blends financial strategy with mindset shifts and real-life application, helping women feel equipped and empowered to make smart money decisions for themselves and their families.

Timestamps:

00:00 – The impact of money on life decisions

02:10 – Steph’s journey from investment banking to financial reset

05:10 – Challenges women face around financial identity

09:20 – Why money is still a taboo topic

21:06 – Creating wealth vs. just making money

24:25 – The complexity of modern wealth management

27:01 – How women can gain financial literacy

35:29 – Key steps to financial empowerment

40:59 – The book and the path forward

This episode is for any woman seeking real financial clarity, regardless of relationship status or income level. If you’ve ever searched for terms like “how to rebuild finances after divorce,” “financial literacy for women over 50,” or “money mindset podcast,” this conversation will speak directly to you.

Regardless of where you are in your financial journey, you can always learn, grow, and create a future that aligns with your values, your power, and your dreams.

Start here.

Follow Steph Wagner and find more here:

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephlwagner/

Insta:

https://www.instagram.com/steph_l_wagner/?hl=en

Steph’s Book:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fly-steph-wagner/1146889245

Connect and Follow Hilda for Daily Inspiration:

Website: https://hersecondstage.com/

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